CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Ear buddies early ear correction service
NON-SURGICAL EAR CORRECTION FOR INFANTS
Ear Buddies™ splints are a pain-free and permanent way to correct your baby's abnormally shaped or prominent ears
What are Ear BuddiesTM?
Ear Buddies™ are a non-invasive splinting system to manage ear shape problems, they are designed to be fitted at home by parents. By treating babies early and avoiding surgery, this Early Ear Correction™ system provides better results, without risk.
The Portland Hospital treats children with common ear deformities without the need for surgery, this service is led by plastic surgeon Mr Chris Abela.
Need to know
Ear Buddies™ splints remould the cartilage folds in your baby's ears to restore the correct natural ear shape and prevent their ears from sticking out. The splints are fitted into the hollow of your baby's ear and fixed with special adhesive strips. Then the ear is comfortably secured to the side of their head.
The splints hold your babys soft ear cartilage in place, helping the correct shape to 'set' as they develop and the cartilage in their ear hardens. New-born babies will need to wear Ear Buddies™ for two to four weeks.
Older infants may need up to six months. The earlier the treatment is started the easier and more effective it is.
About 4% of babies are born with an ear deformity, such as lop ear, rim kinks or Stahls bar.
Depending on the age of your baby and their ear abnormality, your paediatrician will show you how to fit your Ear Buddies™ splints and let you know how long they should be worn for.
If the splints are worn correctly for the recommended period of time, the correction of your baby's ears should be permanent. If you feel that your baby's ears are changing shape or becoming more prominent, speak to your paediatrician as soon as possible. They may suggest a follow-up consultation to refit the splints.
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.